Three hours had passed.

Paddy didn’t want to eat. 

Camille had waddled in with a tray of food, harrumphing when she had to take it away after some time, untouched. 

In a few minutes, Tara had walked in and stood, arms akimbo, till he finished the fresh plate of sandwiches she had brought him.

At some time, Karina and later Jamie, turned up with coffee and biscuits, cake and more coffee.

But that was all.

Garrulous Claude had been told to stay away, and ...